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Hamilton sizzles in Rangers' win

Hamilton sizzles in Rangers' win

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By Dick Kaegel
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MLB.com |

RANGERS 10, ROYALS 8At Surprise, Ariz.Friday, March 14

Rangers at the plate: Josh Hamilton went 2-for-2 and has reached base in 10 consecutive plate appearances, spanning nine hits and one walk. He's batting .607 (17-for-28). Ben Broussard's two-run double followed RBI singles by Marlon Byrd and Hank Blalock in the fourth. Kevin Mench had a triple and a single.

Royals at the plate: The Royals strung together seven hits and a walk before making three successive outs in their six-run fourth inning. They hit for the cycle -- Billy Butler homered, David DeJesus tripled, Mitch Maier and Tony Pena Jr. each doubled and Joey Gathright, Alberto Callaspo and Alex Gordon each singled. Butler's homer was his third in Cactus League action.

Rangers on the mound: Kason Gabbard was chased in the Royals' big fourth and was charged with seven runs on seven hits in his three-plus innings. Robinson Tejeda pitched a scoreless inning.

Royals on the mound: Brett Tomko worked three shutout innings, then was hurt by three bloop singles in a four-run fourth. He gave up six runs (four earned) on eight hits. Yasuhiko Yabuta faced nine batters in his one inning and gave up four runs on five hits and a walk. Joakim Soria hurled two scoreless innings.

Cactus League records: Rangers 9-6-2, Royals 9-7.

Up next for Rangers: The Rangers are home against the Colorado Rockies at 3:05 p.m. CT on Saturday at Surprise Stadium. Rookie Eric Hurley will make his fourth appearance and first start for the Rangers. Josh Towers will start for the Rockies.

Up next for Royals: Gil Meche, who pitched in a Minor League game in his last outing, returns to face the Milwaukee Brewers at 3:05 p.m. on Saturday at Maryvale Baseball Park. Hideo Nomo, continuing his bid for the rotation, will follow Meche. Manny Parra will start for the Brewers.

Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.